David Hayes knows a good horse when he sees one and the Hall of Fame trainer expects Extra Zero to develop into a top-liner.  The three-year old lines up in tomorrow’s G2 AAMI Vase (Race 5 at 2.30pm) at Moonee Valley and looks extremely tough to beat.

Extra Zero (3c Danzero-Extra Bubbly by Bellotto) hasn’t had the best of luck at his past two runs.  He flew late in the G1 Caulfield Guineas to finish fourth, and before that was beaten in a head-bobbing finish at Moonee Valley behind Carrara in the G2 Stutt Stakes.

Hayes has always believed Extra Zero will be a better horse over ground and will press on to the Victoria Derby following tomorrow’s run.

“The Derby is the race I have targeted all along and I have been waiting to get him to ten furlongs (2000m) and further,” Hayes said.  “He races very well at Moonee Valley and I would be a little disappointed if he didn’t win tomorrow.”

Extra Zero was retained to race by his breeders and is the sixth foal for Extra Bubbly, making him a younger half brother to G1 Epsom and Doncaster Handicap runner-up Johan’s Toy (Johan Cruyff) and G3 AJC Adrian Knox Stakes winner Operetta Lass (Singspiel).  Since foaling Extra Zero, Extra Bubbly has produced colts by Fastnet Rock and Exceed and Excel.